Fond farewell to Miss Halligan after 35 years

Fond farewell to Miss Halligan after 35 years

21 December 2016

DOWN High School has said farewell to one of its longest serving members of staff.

After 35 years of dedicated service with the Downpatrick grammar, Lorraine Halligan has retired from the school she joined as a mathematics teacher in January 1982.

Miss Halligan has taught thousands of pupils as they progressed through Down High into adulthood, helping them to achieve their full potential in such an important curricular subject. 

But to simply describe her contribution to Down High as being a teacher of mathematics would, however, be a massive understatement, according to the school’s deputy principal, Ken Dawson, who explained Miss Halligan played a number of major roles over the years. 

“Lorraine’s involvement in school hockey has been an ever-present feature of her time here. As a coach, umpire and tour organiser she has enriched the lives of hundreds of our girls,” he continued.

“But it was not only hockey. Lorraine coached our girls’ cricket sides, seeing a number of pupils gaining Ulster squad recognition in the process. She also served for 12 years as one of the staff leaders of the Army Cadet Force, holding the rank of Captain.”

Mr Dawson revealed Miss Halligan was selected to attend the Royal Tournament at Earls Court in 1994 and was later chosen to represent the Cadets at the annual Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall, as well as being one of the first women Cadets to represent the force at the Ulster Hall service.

“As if this wasn’t enough, Lorraine organised the school’s work experience programme and was a head of year for pupils in middle school,” he continued. 

“Miss Halligan was one of the original organisers of the popular water sports holiday for pupils which runs every two years at the end of the summer term. Opportunities for those members of staff brave enough to act and sing on stage during the school shows were also seized upon by Miss Halligan, 

with a particular highlight being her performance as a puppet in The Sound of Music. Her farewell appearance in Bugsy Malone had an Italian theme.”

Down High principal, Maud Perry, wished Miss Halligan well for her retirement. She said in the short space of time she has been at the school, Lorraine has “epitomised the loyalty and commitment” she has come to value amongst the teaching staff. 

Mrs Perry added: “Lorraine’s contribution to school life over many years has been immense and even extends to organising the staff Christmas dinner. I trust she will have a long and happy retirement; it is well earned.”